Stags’ Leap Winery Napa Valley Merlot 2013, California

It’s time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, alcohol, tobacco, dark chocolates, Sherry liqueur cordials, dark coffee and spices.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, black cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco, herbs, coffee and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy cranberries.

This 9 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is still drinking nicely.

Showing some acetone notes, that might go away with longer decanting, which I did not have the time for.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime. Not as complex as I wanted it to be, but still drinkable.

This 2013 was a great vintage, but it is not showing in this bottle.

Good by itself and better with food. Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak. I paired it with short ribs with polenta.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$28 (current vintage).

Optio Vineyards Inmesceo 2020, Paso Robles, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose blueberry jam, black currants, plums, baked cherries, light oak, spices and light pepper.

Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, currants, cooked cherries, light oak, spices, light alcohol, peppercorn, chocolates and light tobacco leaf.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Mourvedre blend from Paso Robles. Easy drinking and good by itself. Feels like a Spanish Monastrell with a new world twist.

Better after 90 minutes of airtime, but good right out of the bottle as well.

Still young and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

Already showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Tangy and rich. Fruit forward and smooth.

Good by itself or with food. Would pair nicely with burger and fries.
I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend 50% Mourvedre, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petite Sirah. Aged for 17 months in (15% new) oak barrels. A tiny production of only 63 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$58.

Arling blaze Wines Hope Dies Last 2018, Napa Valley, California

This is a tasty Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Napa Valley.

Full bodied and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Showing black fruits with dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, alcohol, cola, licorice, light oak, vanilla, earth and spices.

Nice length on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle, but better after 45 minutes of airtime.

A good party wine, and good by itself as a sipping wine. A little hot at the back of the throat, though.

A little unbalanced, but works well for parties.

Thanks Elvira for sharing this with me.

A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Zinfandel and 25% Merlot.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$20.

The Vice Wines American Paradox Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Napa Valley, California

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with a great mouthfeel.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, earth, sweet spices, raisins, dried figs, milk chocolates, tobacco, herbs, smoke, licorice, light cola, cigar box and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. I had it almost 2 years ago, and it is so much better now. The 17s Napas are starting to drink very nicely now.

This 5 year old is showing a great nose now. Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after an hour of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and good with food too. Paired very nicely with the Capocollo dried meat.

15% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$120.

Cuda Ridge Wines Livermore Valley Cabernet Franc 2016, California

This Cabernet Franc from Livermore Valley is drinking very nicely now, as a 6 year old.

Purple in color with a wide purplish /brick rim.

Showing a strong, pretty nose with violets.

Full bodied, dry, and very fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing black plums, black cherries, blueberries, vanilla, licorice, spices, oak, dark chocolates, alcohol, peppercorn, herbs and light earth.

Spicy, interesting, and a little hot.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 45 minutes of airtime.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

I had it 3 years ago, and decided to wait for a few years. That was a good call. So much better now.

Peaking now, so drink up. Elegant and fruity. Rich and extracted.

15.7% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$36.

Meadowcroft Wines Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Napa Valley, California

Meadowcroft Wines Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Napa Valley, California


Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ purplish rim.

On the nose blueberries, black currants, black plums, oak, licorice, light vanilla, earth, light vegetables, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, herbs, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, red currants, oak, tobacco, licorice, earth, cocoa, spices, coffee and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder is still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Showing lots of earth notes, once it opens up (90 minutes).

This 4 year old is showing black fruits on the nose, and red fruits on the palate. Feels more like a Left Bank Bordeaux. Interesting stuff. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Good by itself and better with food. I paired it with dried meats and crackers. Will pair nicely with lamb dishes.

A small production of only 7 barrels. Bottled in May 2021.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$115.

Heir Apparent Spring Mountain District Cellar Selection Red Wine 2019, Napa Valley, California

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday


Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim and medium intensity.

On the nose red cherries, red currants, sweet raspberries, light oak, spices, chocolates, bell pepper, vegetables, green olives, earth, herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, earth, dark chocolates, peppercorn, herbs, light vegetables and tobacco leaf.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is starting to drink nicely, but needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Soft and smooth with nice complexity and mouthfeel. Spicy and entertaining.

Needs a couple of hours in the decanter to open up.

Feels very much like a right Bank Bordeaux rather than a Napa one.

There’s plenty of fruits here, but they’re all intertwined with lots of earth notes. Interesting stuff out of Napa.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and crackers. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. A small production of only 390 cases.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$120.

Macrostie Winery Clockwise Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, California

Purple in color with medium plus intensity, and a wide purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, black cherries, currants, oak, light vanilla, spices, chocolates, herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with red currants, plums, cherries, strawberry jam, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, spices, chocolates, earth, vegetables, tobacco leaf, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. Showing nice complexity already, with a soft mouthfeel.

Tangy and interesting. Fruit forward and elegant.

Still young, but drinks very nicely right out of the bottle. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Not your typical Napa Cabernet, so it’s worth trying.

Very easy to drink with all that alcohol. Nicely balanced and a little dangerous 😉

Will pair nicely with barbecue meats.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in (60% new) French oak barrels for 22 months. A small production of only 298 cases.

15% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$76.

Yount Ridge Cellars Proprietary Blend 2009, California

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Full bodied with medium acidity and smooth.

Dry and fruity on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, cedar, sweet cherries, currants, licorice, diet cola, chocolates, vanilla, spices, espresso and light earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 13 year old Napa Bordeaux blend is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years. Delicious and easy drinking.

Soft and smooth. Rich yet elegant. Fruit forward and spicy.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

A gorgeous Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a wonderful nose, right out of the bottle.

Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.

I’ve had a few vintages before, and it is always delicious. Tangy, spicy and interesting.

Really enjoyed it, especially the nose. Kept smelling on it. Delicious stuff.

A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$120.

Patland Estate Vineyards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Napa Valley, California

It’s time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a great Napa Cab.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity.

This Single Vineyard is showing blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, tobacco leaf, earth and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with round tannins and pomegranates.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.

This Napa Cabernet is not typical at all. There is a lot going on here. Showing great complexity.

Rich and tangy. Fruit forward and nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

This 6 year old, from the great 2016 vintage, is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak, but good as a sipping wine too.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec. Aged in (80% new) French Oak barrels for 20 months. A small production of only 4,800 bottles.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$240.